Source: Daily_Mail
Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti tells Alex he'll have to wait for his operation to ease injury fears
Chelsea defenderAlex will be thrustback into actionagainst Birminghamtoday despite CarloAncelotti's admission that theBrazil defender requires kneesurgery. [LNB]Chelsea's website said on Tuesdaythat Alex was ruled out for six toeight weeks, but the team's abjectdefensive display in the 3-0 defeat bySunderland and the continuedabsence of John Terry have led toAncelotti bringing Alex back into hisstarting line-up. [LNB]The Italian said: 'There is no riskputting Alex in. We want our bestteam out and he is one of the bestdefenders. The surgeon has decidedto do the surgery next week. [LNB] Pain barrier: Alex will play today despite his knee injury[LNB]'But ifafter the game he feels good and theknee is OK, we can postpone.' [LNB]Alex said: 'I need surgery, andmaybe after the game I will go toBrazil and do the operation onThursday. Arthroscopic surgery iseasy to do, and I can play on Saturdayto help the team.[LNB]'We have too many players injured,so I said to the coach I can play. I amnot 100 per cent fit but I can play.' [LNB]Alex's fellow defender Terryrevealed exclusively in Sportsmailthat he has not been fully fit for fiveyears and is suffering the worst painhe has ever had due to a nerveproblem in his thigh. [LNB]Injury fears: Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti [LNB]But Ancelotti is confident he willhave his skipper back soon afterTerry visited the Milan Lab to see renowned chiropractor Jean-PierreMeersseman this week. [LNB]The Chelsea boss said: 'It's nottrue that he'll be out for a month.It depends day by day. He has pain.He will not be involved tomorrowbut maybe he'll be able to play inthe next game.' [LNB]Ancelotti will also have his newassistant first-team coach MichaelEmenalo in tow against City. TheNigerian was appointed as areplacement for Ray Wilkins, whowas released last week, butAncelotti maintains his role willnot differ too much from hiscurrent one. [LNB]'Nothing has changed for me,'said Ancelotti. [LNB]'Emenalo has beenworking with me before. It was notmy decision, but he will continueto work with me. He was a fantasticsupport last season for theopposition scouting.[LNB]'He will stayclose with me in the tactical situations.It is the same work that hedid for the last 18 months.' [LNB]Meanwhile, Birmingham defenderLiam Ridgewell is hoping to be thenext uncapped player to catch theeye of England boss Fabio Capello.[LNB] Hopeful: Liam Ridgewell wants England call[LNB]Capello handed first caps to AndyCarroll, Jay Bothroyd and JordanHenderson in Wednesday'sWembley clash with France, andsince England's World Cup failurehas also blooded Kevin Davies,Kieran Gibbs, Bobby Zamora,Gary Cahill and Jack Wilshere.Ridgewell won eight EnglandUnder 21 caps and, at the age of26, is confident he can still beworth a chance at senior level. [LNB]'You see people given a go at theEngland stage and I'm the same,'Ridgewell said. [LNB]'There's a transitionin English football and everyonewants to be part of it, myselfincluded.'[LNB] Ancelotti ready to spend in January to patch up crocked Chelsea defenceJOHN TERRY EXCLUSIVE: OK, I've lost the captaincy but don't take the ****Man City delegation look to discuss deal for Barcelona defender Dani Alves[LNB] Explore more:People: Jay Bothroyd, Kevin Davies, John Terry, Fabio Capello, Jack Wilshere, Gary Cahill, Bobby Zamora, Carlo Ancelotti Places: Milan, France, United Kingdom
